Walt Disney Imagine that you are driving to the coast through Anaheim, California. All of a sudden, you see tall, fast, rollercoasters housed in mountains, crowds of people waiting in line, busses parked everywhere, and hotels circling the park. You think to yourself, “Who invented this attraction? Why did they do it?” Walt Disney did! He improved the U.S., and the world, by making cartoons, movies, and world attractions. Who was Walt Disney? Walter Elias Disney was born on December 5, 1901, in Hermosa, Illinois. His father, Elias Disney, was an Irish Canadian. His mother, Flora Call Disney was a German American. Walt was one of five children. (Biography.com) After Walt’s birth, the family moved to Marceline, Missouri, and Walt lived most of his childhood there. Walt really liked art, selling his drawings or pictures to neighbors for money. He took art classes on the weekends. He even traded his drawings to a local barber for free haircuts. He decided to pursue an art career. (Biography.com) Later, after his family moved to Chicago, he was able to attend the Chicago Art institute. There, he drew for the school newspaper. His career was put on hold for a year when he decided he wanted to enlist in World War 1.
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It featured Mickey Mouse, and his girlfriend Minnie Mouse, and it was a black and white film. While silent films had been the warm up until this time, Steamboat Willie was the first cartoon to have a corresponding soundtrack, and to feature talking characters. It was such a new concept that people thought he was crazy to try and make it. Steamboat Willie, was such a success that even the largest movie theatre in the world—The Roxy in New York City-showed it 2 weeks after its premier. (moma.org) Walt became so successful because of this cartoon that in later years, he said, I only hope that we don’t lose sight of one thing-that it was all started by a mouse.”
It featured Mickey Mouse, and his girlfriend Minnie Mouse, and it was a black and white film. While silent films had been the warm up until this time, Steamboat Willie was the first cartoon to have a corresponding soundtrack, and to feature talking characters. It was such a new concept that people thought he was crazy to try and make it. Steamboat Willie, was such a success that even the largest movie theatre in the world—The Roxy in New York City-showed it 2 weeks after its premier. (moma.org) Walt became so successful because of this cartoon that in later years, he said, I only hope that we don’t lose sight of one thing-that it was all started by a mouse.”